New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has revealed that a significant number of cannabis users drive shortly after consumption, raising serious safety concerns on U.S. roads.
With cannabis legalized for recreational or medical use in 38 states, usage continues to increase nationwide. However, many consumers underestimate the impact of cannabis on their driving abilities.
According to the AAA study:
- Over 44% of cannabis users consume the product multiple times per day.
- Approximately 58% drive every day.
- A striking 85% admitted to driving the same day they consumed cannabis, with more than half driving within an hour after use.
- Nearly 47% of users believe cannabis either has little effect on driving or even improves their driving ability.
AAA emphasizes the importance of educating users about the dangers of cannabis-impaired driving, which significantly increases risks for accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Two complementary AAA studies also revealed that messages focusing on personal responsibility and safety were more effective at discouraging impaired driving than messages emphasizing legal consequences. Cannabis users indicated a preference for realistic, positive, and diverse communications that avoid exaggerated stereotypes.
Given cannabis users’ high trust in the cannabis industry, AAA recommends collaborations between policymakers, safety organizations, and the cannabis sector to deliver credible, relatable safety messages.
Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy, noted, “Effective messaging about cannabis-impaired driving should include credible voices, real-life scenarios, and respectful language.”
These targeted campaigns should directly challenge misconceptions by highlighting cannabis’s adverse effects on driving skills, such as impaired perception, increased fatigue, and reduced cognitive clarity.
